2021 Veterans Day Q&A with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough

There are six eligibility criteria for community care under the MISSION act. More information regarding these criteria are located at https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/General_Care.asp
The Veteran should discuss specifics of their case with their local VAMC.

No, once a disability rating is made it does not decrease even if you do not use the therapy.

As an agency of the U.S. Government, VA is governed by federal laws, not state laws. VA and all VA staff, including contractors, as well as outside providers acting on VA's behalf, may only prescribe medications that have been approved by the FDA for medical use. At present, marijuana and most products containing delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other cannabinoids are not approved by the FDA for this purpose. For these reasons, VA providers may not prescribe or recommend medical marijuana, nor complete paperwork/forms required for Veteran patients to participate in state-approved marijuana programs. In addition, VA pharmacies may not fill prescriptions for these drugs, nor will VA pay for such prescriptions from any source. Federal law would have to be changed, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would have to approve medical marijuana before VA providers would be able to prescribe or recommend medical marijuana or complete paperwork/forms for Veteran patients to participate in state-approved marijuana programs.

Most often Veterans are able to coordinate their insulin refills with their local VAMC beginning 10 days in advance and the pharmacy averaging 2.5 days to complete this order. If a Veteran is not able to pick it up via normal process, it would be an overnight delivery, though this is the exception not the rule. If a Veteran were to need it rushed, it would be expedited overnight delivery and shipped with ice packs (number depends on season) to ensure that the medication remains at an appropriate temperature. If the Veteran utilizes a mail order pharmacy option, thier process would need to be outlined by the National Pharmacy Office. VA has conducted extensive stability studies for insulin shipped to Veterans and has worked with other organizations to ensure VA's shipping procedures are based on sound science. VA's insulin shipping methods can vary based on seasonal temperatures, average delivery times and other factors. It is important to note that while insulins should generally be stored under refrigeration, allowances for non-refrigerated shipping are permissible.

The VA’s annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is authorized by Congress and is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Based on the increase in the CPI announced on October 13, 2021, VA beneficiaries will receive a 5.9 percent COLA increase. If you have questions regarding your specific claim, we encourage you to contact our call center at [login to see] .

Any decision by a service department acting through a board of correction of military records is final and conclusive on VA. The only exception is a change in character of discharge by a service department through a discharge review board is not final and conclusive on VA when there is a bar because the discharege was due to the sentence of a General Court Martial. (X.iv.1.B.3.d. ) Only favorable action by a board for correction of military records will overcome a bar based on a General Court Martial. This limitation is set by law, 38 CFR 3.12 and although the board can upgrade the character of discharge it does not change the reasons for the discharge which fall under the statuatory bar.

Thank you for your feedback. VA shared these comments with leaders in the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System. The main phone number for the McCurtain County VA Clinic in Idabel, OK is [login to see] . We would be happy to address any other specific concerns if identifying information is provided.

VA contracts comply with Federal Acquisition Regulations and VA Acquisition Regulations. VA does not manufacture eyeglasses but provides them through Prosthetic and Sensory aids Service (PSAS). Eyeglass contracts are managed at the Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) level for VA Medical Centers. The Veteran's facility information is requested to research this issue by the assigned VISN Prosthetic Representative.

Asbestos exposure is a serious health risk and VA understands that many of our Service members were exposed to asbestos during service. Currently, the medical community only recognizes certain diseases as being associated with asbestos exposure, absestosis, pleural plaques, lung cancer and mesothelioma. COPD has not been established as directly related to asbestos exposure. If you and your medical provider feel that your COPD was caused by your exposure in service, you can file a claim, providing a medical opinion from your provider for consideration at va.gov. If you disagree with the decision you were provided, you can appeal that decision within the time frames identified in your notification letter.

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/asbestos/index.asp